JP4380057B2 - Document reading and recording device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a processing technique of a document reading and recording apparatus that automatically feeds a document, reads both front and back surfaces, and records an image on a recording sheet.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In a conventional document reading and recording apparatus, when both sides of a document are read and the image is recorded on a recording sheet, the document set on the paper feed port with the surface facing up is fed to the reading unit, The surface is read from the leading edge side of the preceding document, and the data is stored in the image memory. Then, the original is switched back-inverted and fed back to the reading unit while the front and back sides are inverted through the return path, and this time the back side is read from the end side before the switch-back inversion. Furthermore, the data is also stored in the image memory, the printer is activated, the image on the back side of the document is first copied onto the recording paper, and then the recording paper is turned upside down through the return path, The image of was copied.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional document reading and recording apparatus, the image memory stores image data on both sides of the document, which is disadvantageous in terms of cost because of its large capacity. Therefore, the recording process cannot be performed until both the front side and the back side of the document are read, and the processing time becomes longer.
Further, since the original after being read by the original reading and recording apparatus is discharged to the paper discharge tray with the front side facing up, if a plurality of originals are sequentially read as they are, for example, the first page, which is the first page The discharged document is not in page order so that the back side of the second document, which is the fourth page, is placed on the front surface of the document, and the user must realign the discharged documents.
[Means for Solving the Problems]
[0004]
  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention uses the following means.
  That is, as described in claim 1,A reading device for reading an original;Record the scanned imageA recording device and a control unit with a built-in image memory;In a document reading and recording apparatus comprising:A main document conveyance path formed so as to pass through the reading device from the paper supply port to the paper discharge port, and a temporary discharge immediately above the paper discharge port, branched from the main document conveyance route near the paper supply port. A reversing path that is formed without passing through the reading device toward the exit and that reverses the original, and a branch from the reversing path immediately after the temporary discharge port, and the main document conveyance on the upstream side of the reading device A document return path that communicates with the path, and a bypass path that branches from the main document conveyance path behind the discharge port and communicates with the document return path. The original is passed through the reverse path and turned upside down, and then passed through the original return path and fed to the reading device. The back side of the original is read, and the image on the back side of the original is stored in the image memory. Once read, in parallel with this An image on the back side of the document is read from the image memory and recorded on one side of the recording paper, and then the document is passed through the bypass path and the front and back sides of the document are reversed to the reading device. In addition to feeding, the front and back surfaces of the recording paper are reversed, the surface of the original is read, the image of the surface of the original is read into the image memory, and the image of the surface of the original is read in parallel with the image Read from the memory and record on the other side of the recording paper.
[0005]
  Further, as described in claim 2,The recording paper set in the supply unit is fed to a recording device, an image of the back side of the original is recorded on one side of the recording paper, the recording paper is reversed, and fed to the recording device again. An image of the surface of the original is recorded on one side, and the other side is faced down and discharged to a paper discharge unit.
[0007]
Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a copier / facsimile multifunction peripheral employing an original reading and recording apparatus, FIG. 2 is a side sectional view, FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of a reading unit, and FIG. 4 is a control of the original reading and recording apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 5 is a side sectional view of a reading unit showing how a sheet document is conveyed, FIG. 6 is a side sectional view of a recording unit showing how a recording sheet is conveyed, and FIG. 7 is a document according to the present invention. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a first stage of the control configuration of the document reading and recording apparatus according to the present invention, FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the second stage, and FIG. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the fourth stage, FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the fifth stage, and FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the final stage.
[0008]
The document reading and recording apparatus according to the present invention will be described by taking a copy / facsimile multifunction peripheral as an example.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the copy / facsimile multifunction peripheral includes a reading unit 1, a recording unit 2, an operation unit 3, a display unit 4, and the like, and the reading unit 1 is disposed above the recording unit 2. A key panel 13 is extended from one side of the reading unit 1, and an operation unit 3 such as a function key 16, a start button 17, a stop button 18, and a display unit 4 including a liquid crystal panel are provided thereon. Is arranged.
[0009]
First, the reading unit 1 of the copy / facsimile multifunction peripheral will be described.
In the reading unit 1, a reading device 6 is accommodated in a reading case 10, and a transparent stationary document placing bed 11 is disposed on the upper surface of the reading case 10. The document 6 placed on the stationary document placement bed 11 is scanned by moving from the solid line position to the virtual line position in FIG.
[0010]
A document presser cover 7 is arranged above the reading case 10 so as to be openable and closable around one side thereof. A document placed on the stationary document placement bed 11 is placed from above by the document presser cover 7. It is supposed to be pressed. An ADF 8 is attached to one end of the document pressing cover 7, and a document supply tray 9 is disposed above the document pressing cover 7 so as to be connected to the paper feed port 8 a of the ADF 8. On the upper surface of the cover 7, a document discharge tray 7 c is integrally formed so as to be connected to a discharge port 8 b disposed immediately below the sheet feed port 8 a of the ADF 8.
[0011]
The sheet originals deposited on the original supply tray 9 are picked up one by one and taken in from the paper supply port 8a. A document fed by the ADF 8 and passing over the platen glass 12 is read by the reading device 6 at the home position indicated by the solid line in FIG.
[0012]
At this time, the reading device 6 illuminates the reading surface of the sheet original with an exposure lamp, and the reflected light from the original is received by an image sensor (hereinafter referred to as “CCD”) through a scanning mirror and a lens. The brightness of the reading surface is classified based on the amount of reflected light, and the CCD converts the brightness into an electrical signal and stores the data in the image memory 84 shown in FIG. When a plurality of document images are recorded, the data is encoded and stored in the image memory 83.
Then, the read original is discharged from the paper discharge port 8b onto the original discharge tray 7c.
[0013]
Here, the internal structure of the ADF 8 will be described.
In this description, in the side view shown in FIG. 3, the document transport direction is the front-rear direction (the feed port 8a / discharge port 8b side is the front and the curved portion (feed direction folding portion) side is the rear in the document transport path). And the orthogonal direction in the horizontal direction is the left-right direction.
[0014]
First, the configuration of the document conveyance path in the ADF 8 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 3, a main document conveyance path R <b> 1 is formed from the paper feed port 8 a to the paper discharge port 8 b, with the shape of the “T” being reversed left and right as viewed from the side. At the time of single-sided reading, the sheet document passes through the main document transport path R1, and the reading process is performed.
[0015]
Further, a temporary discharge port 8c is provided immediately above the discharge port 8b, and the main document transport path R1 is branched near the paper feed port 8a, and viewed from the branch point P toward the temporary discharge port 8c in a side view. , “C” -shaped inversion path R2 is formed.
Further, immediately after the temporary discharge port 8c, the inversion path R2 is branched, a document return path R3 is extended from the branch point Q to the rear, and is communicated with a curved portion of the main document transport path R1. Yes. Further, the main document transport path R1 is branched behind the paper discharge port 8b, a bypass path R4 is formed from the branch point T to the rear upper side, and is communicated at an intermediate position before and after the document return path R3. Yes.
Here, a connection point between the main document transport path R1 and the document return path R3 is a junction point S, and a connection point between the document return path R3 and the bypass path R4 is a junction point R.
[0016]
At the time of double-sided reading, the sheet document is reversed on the front and back surfaces by the reversing path R2, and then fed to the document returning path R3, the main document transport path R1, and the bypass path R4 in a predetermined flow, and both-side reading processing is performed. Is done.
[0017]
Next, regarding the arrangement of the rollers for feeding the sheet document, an extra roller 26 capable of rotating in the forward and reverse directions is disposed between the temporary discharge port 8c and the discharge port 8b so as to be in sliding contact with the upper and lower sides thereof. A first press roller 27 and a second press roller 28 are disposed. Here, the slidable contact portions are sequentially referred to as a nip portion C and a nip portion G.
[0018]
The second press roller 29 can be moved up and down by an actuator (not shown) composed of a solenoid or the like, and is controlled so that the second press roller 29 and the extra roller 26 are separated at a predetermined timing. is doing.
[0019]
Further, a nip portion A between the separation roller 22 and the retard roller 23 is disposed in the vicinity of the paper feed port 8a, and the arms 20 and 20 can swing forward from both ends of the separation roller 22. A pickup roller 21 is pivotally supported at the front ends of the arms 20 and 20.
[0020]
A nip B of the take-in rollers 24 and 25 is disposed at an intermediate position between the nip A and the branch point P.
[0021]
Further, a feed roller 28 having a larger diameter than the other rollers is disposed on the platen glass 12, and is surrounded by the curved portion of the main document transport path R1 and the document return path R3. Then, along the feed roller 28, the first slave roller 31 is slidably contacted above, the second slave roller 32 is slidably contacted behind the feed roller 28, and the third slave roller 33 is slidably contacted obliquely forward. . Here, each slidable contact portion is referred to as a nip portion D, a nip portion E, and a nip portion F.
[0022]
Among the above-mentioned rollers, rollers 22, 23, 25, 26, and 28 are driving rollers, and each of the rollers 24, 27, 29, 31, 32, and 33 that are in contact with each of the rollers is a driven roller that rotates with each driving roller. It has become.
Note that the rotation direction of the extra roller 26 needs to be switched at a predetermined timing in order to appropriately switch the conveyance direction of the sheet document, and a forward / reverse rotation switching mechanism is provided between the drive source and the extra roller 26. Is provided to receive a control signal (switching signal) from the main control unit 80 (see FIG. 4) and perform switching.
[0023]
An example of the mechanism is outlined. One of the mechanisms transmits the rotation in the same direction as the drive shaft between the drive shaft to which the power from the drive source is transmitted and the output shaft to be output to the roller shaft 26a of the extra roller 26. The other side is equipped with a reverse transmission mechanism that transmits the reverse direction of the rotation, and the drive shaft or the electromagnetic clutch that is splined to the output shaft is slid and displaced. Is disconnected from the transmission mechanism and connected to the other transmission mechanism, and only one rotation is taken out to the output shaft via the electromagnetic clutch.
[0024]
For the drive source, a pulse is sequentially applied to the multiphase winding of the stator, and a step motor or the like in which the rotor rotates by a certain angle for each pulse is used. And the main control unit 80 performs step control.
[0025]
Next, switching of the sheet original conveyance direction will be described.
A first guide member 37 is disposed in the vicinity of the branch point P, and an actuator such as a solenoid is attached to the rotation fulcrum shaft 37a, whereby the first guide member 37 is electrically switched, and a sheet document is printed. Guide to either the main document transport path R1 or the reverse path R2.
[0026]
Normally, the first guide member 37 blocks the reversing path R2 and opens the main document transport path R1, and when a control signal (switching signal) is received from the main control unit 80, a current flows through the solenoid. When the actuator is operated, the first guide member 37 is rotated slightly upward to close the main document transport path R1 and open the reversal path R2.
[0027]
Further, a second guide member 38 is attached to the roller shaft 27a of the first press roller 27. Like the first guide member 37, an actuator such as a solenoid is provided on the roller shaft 27a which is the rotation fulcrum shaft. Thus, the second guide member 38 is electrically switched, thereby opening or blocking the reversing path R2.
[0028]
Normally, the second guide member 38 opens the reversing path R2, and when a control signal (switching signal) is received from the main control unit 80, a current flows through the solenoid, the actuator operates, The two guide members 38 rotate slightly downward to block the reversing path R2, and the sheet document that has been switched back while being pinched at the end of the nip portion C is along the lower surface of the second guide member 38. Then, it is guided to the document return route R3.
[0029]
Further, a third guide member 39 is disposed in the vicinity of the branch point T. Here, a flexible member such as a film is used for the third guide member 39, and the path is opened depending on the conveying direction of the sheet document. After passing the sheet document, the sheet is returned to its original position by its own weight and its elasticity, and the path is closed.
[0030]
Specifically, the third guide member 39 normally opens the bypass path R4 from the nip part G to the joining point R, and the main document transport path R1 from the nip part G to the nip part F. Is blocking. However, in the reverse conveyance from the nip portion F to the nip portion G, the leading edge of the sheet document pushes up the third guide member 39 to open the path R1, and is conveyed as it is to the paper discharge port 8b. is there. When the end of the sheet document passes through the branch point T position, the third guide member 39 returns to its original position due to its own weight and elasticity. The sheet document reversed in the reverse direction is guided along the upper surface of the third guide member 39 to the bypass path R4.
[0031]
Next, each sensor relating to the conveyance of the sheet document will be described.
First, a document set sensor (hereinafter referred to as “DS sensor”) 34 is disposed in the vicinity of the paper feed port 8a of the main document transport path R1. When a sheet document is set in the sheet feeding port 8a, the DS sensor 34 detects the sheet document, thereby connecting a circuit between the start button 19 and the drive source so that the drive source can be driven. In other words, when the document is not set, the drive source is not started even if the start button 19 is pressed while the circuit is cut off, thus preventing the document from being fed forward.
[0032]
Further, a plurality of DS sensors 34, 34... Are arranged in the left-right direction along the main document transport path R1, thereby detecting the document width of the sheet document set in the sheet feed port 8a. , When the sheet document is taken in, the DS sensor 34, 34... Detects the start of passage of the leading end and the end of passage of the end thereof, counts the number of rotation steps of the driving source therebetween, and determines the length of the document. Is calculated. As a result, the size of the captured sheet document is determined, and the size of the recording paper is determined.
[0033]
A first position detection sensor 35 is disposed in the vicinity of the temporary discharge port 8c of the reversing path R2, and a second position detection sensor 36 is disposed in the vicinity of the junction S of the main document transport path R3. .
[0034]
Each of the sensors 34, 35, and 36 includes a light sensor having a light emitting element arranged on one side of the conveyance path and a light receiving element arranged on the other side, or a limit switch, and the like, and passes through the sensor arrangement position. When the passage of the sheet document to be started is started or when the passage is completed, a control signal (detection signal) is output to the main control unit 80.
[0035]
Further, control members such as the pickup roller 21 and the separation roller 22 are also connected to the main control unit 80, and the main control unit 80 controls the conveyance of the original in the reading unit 1.
[0036]
Next, the recording unit 2 of the copy / facsimile multifunction peripheral will be described.
As shown in FIG. 2, in the recording unit 2, the recording device 70 and the paper feeding cassettes 50 and 50 are respectively installed in the upper and lower sides, and recording papers having different sizes are stored in the paper feeding cassettes 50 and 50. Contained.
[0037]
The recording apparatus 70 and each of the paper feed cassettes 50 and 50 are communicated with each other by a paper take-in path r1 extending in the vertical direction, and the paper feed inclined obliquely upward in each of the paper feed cassettes 50 and 50. Paper feed rollers 52 and 53 for feeding the stacked recording sheets one by one toward the recording apparatus 70 are disposed at the upper ends of the stands 51 and 51.
The paper feed bases 51 and 51 are urged from below by a spring or the like, and the recording paper loaded on the paper feed bases 51 and 51 is always in contact with the paper feed rollers 52 and 53.
[0038]
The recording apparatus 70 includes a photosensitive drum 71 on which selenium or the like of a photoconductor is deposited, a charger 72 that uniformly charges the surface of the photosensitive drum 71 to a predetermined potential, and an electrostatic image on the photosensitive drum 71. An exposure unit 73 for forming a latent image and a developing unit 74 for supplying toner to the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 71 to visualize the latent image are provided. The photosensitive drum 71, the charger 72, and the exposure An annular conveyance path r <b> 2 is formed so as to surround the device 73 and the developing device 74. The sheet take-in path r1 communicates at a junction V at the lower part of the annular conveyance path r2, and the sheet discharge path r3 is branched at a branch point W at the upper part of the annular conveyance path r2. It communicates with the space.
[0039]
A nip portion H of the first feed rollers 54 and 55 is disposed directly above the junction V along the annular conveyance path r2, and a toner image is placed on the recording sheet from the photosensitive drum 71 above the nip portion H. A transfer device 75 for transferring is disposed, and a nip portion I for fixing rollers 56 and 57 for heating and fixing the toner image on the recording paper is disposed above the transfer device 75.
[0040]
A distribution member 67 is disposed in the vicinity of the branch point W, and a nip portion J of the second feed rollers 58 and 59 and a nip portion K of the third feed rollers 60 and 61 are further provided along the annular conveyance path r2. On the other hand, along the sheet discharge path r3, nip portions L of the discharge rollers 62 and 63 are disposed in the vicinity of the discharge port 5a to the discharge tray 5.
[0041]
A flexible member such as a film is used for the sorting member 67, and the path is opened depending on the recording sheet conveyance direction. After the recording sheet passes, the path returns to its original position due to its elasticity and closes the path. It is configured.
Specifically, the distribution member 67 normally opens the path from the nip portion L to the nip portion J, and blocks the path of the path from the nip portion L to the nip portion I. However, in the conveyance from the nip portion I to the nip portion L, the leading edge of the recording paper pushes down the sorting member 67 to open the path, and is conveyed as it is to the paper discharge port 5a. When the end of the recording sheet passes through the branch point W position, the sorting member 67 returns to its original position due to its elasticity, and the recording sheet switchback reversed at the nip portion L is placed on the sorting member 67. It is guided along the lower surface in the nip J direction.
[0042]
Among the above-mentioned rollers, rollers 52, 53, 54, 56, 58, 60, and 62 are driving rollers, and the rollers 55, 57, 59, 61, and 63 that are in contact with the rollers rotate around the driving rollers. It is a driven roller.
Note that the rotation direction of the discharge roller 62 needs to be switched at a predetermined timing in order to appropriately switch the recording sheet conveyance direction. Like the extra roller 26 of the reading unit 1, its drive source and discharge roller 62 is provided with a forward / reverse rotation switching mechanism for receiving a control signal (switching signal) from the main control unit 80 and switching the control signal.
[0043]
A first passage detection sensor 76 is disposed between the junction V of the annular conveyance path r2 and the nip portion H of the first feed rollers 54 and 55, and the branch point W of the paper discharge path r3. A second passage detection sensor 77 is disposed between the nip portion L of the discharge rollers 62 and 63.
[0044]
Each of the sensors 76 and 77 is composed of an optical sensor having a light emitting element arranged on one side of the conveyance path and a light receiving element arranged on the other side, a limit switch, or the like, and recording passing through the sensor arrangement position. When the passage of paper starts or when the passage is completed, a control signal (detection signal) is output to the main control unit 80.
Further, the main control unit 80 is also connected to control members such as paper feed rollers 52 and 53, and the main control unit 80 controls the mark conveyance of the recording unit 2.
[0045]
Next, the control unit of the copy / facsimile multifunction peripheral will be described.
In the block diagram shown in FIG. 4, 80 is a main control unit, 1 is a reading unit, 2 is a recording unit, 3 is an operation unit, 4 is a display unit, 81 is an NCU, 82 is a modem, 83 is an image memory, and 84 is an image. A memory, 85 is a RAM, 86 is a ROM, and 87 is a bus.
[0046]
The main control unit 80 controls the entire apparatus and operates each unit in a series of flows to realize a document transmission / reception function, a copy function, and the like. In particular, when the image is read from the ADF 8 of the reading unit 1 in the transmission function or the copy function, the document size is determined by the above-described DS sensor 34. Then, based on the determined document size, the transmission size and the size of the recording paper used in the recording apparatus 70 are determined, and transmission or recording is performed using the determined transmission size or recording paper.
[0047]
The reading unit 1 reads an image to be transmitted or copied from a document, and the recording unit 2 forms the received image or the image read by the reading unit 1 on a recording sheet.
The operation unit 3 is used when the user makes various settings and instructions. For example, the function key 16 can be used to select a transmission function, a copy function such as single-sided / double-sided copy switching, and an instruction to execute the selected function. Further, the sheet document transmission process or the copying process is started by operating the start button 17, and the process is stopped halfway by operating the stop button 18.
The display unit 4 can display various information such as a message for the user, a message indicating the state of the apparatus, and operation guidance.
[0048]
The NCU 81 communicates with an external device by controlling the line. The image can be transmitted based on the transmission size determined by the main control unit 80 according to the detection result by the DS sensor 34, for example.
The modem 82 modulates / demodulates image data to be transmitted / received.
The image memory 83 stores image data to be transmitted, received image data, image data read by the reading unit 1, image data to be recorded by the recording device 70, image data being processed, and the like.
The image memory 84 has a smaller capacity than the image memory 83 and is mainly used for temporarily storing image data. In the present invention, in particular, the image data on one side of the front and back sides of the sheet document is read and stored. Before reading the surface, the image data is read and recorded on a recording sheet.
[0049]
The RAM 85 is used when it is necessary to save data in the processing of the main control unit 80 and other units. The ROM 86 stores a program that defines the operation of the main control unit 80, fixed data, and the like.
Note that data used when the main control unit 80 determines the document size by the DS sensor 34 can be stored in the RAM 85 or the ROM 86.
The bus 87 connects the main control unit 80, the reading unit 1, the recording unit 2, the operation unit 3, the display unit 4, the NCU 81, the modem 82, the image memory 83, the image memory 84, the RAM 85, the ROM 86, and the like. Data transfer between them is possible.
[0050]
Next, a reading process and a recording process of the copy / facsimile multifunction peripheral will be described.
First, the flow of a sheet document during the reading process will be described with reference to FIG.
[0051]
As shown in FIG. 5A, a sheet document set on the document feed tray 9 with its surface facing up is first fed at the feed port 8a → nip portion A → nip portion before the reading process. B → branch point P → branch point Q → nip portion C → temporary discharge port 8c to reverse the front and back surfaces of the sheet document. At the temporary discharge port 8c, the back side of the original is on the upper side, and the sheet original is inverted by switchback. Next, as shown in FIG. 5B, in the first stage of the reading process, the temporary discharge port 8c → nip part C → branch point Q → junction point R → nip part D → confluence point S → nip part E. → Platen glass 12 → Nip part F → Branch point T → Nip part G → Transported to the paper discharge port 8 b, first, the back side of the original is read. In the first stage, the front and back surfaces of the sheet document are also reversed, and the document surface is turned up at the paper discharge port 8b. Here, the sheet document is reversed again. Then, as shown in (c) of the figure, in the second stage, the discharge port 8b → nip part G → branch point T → confluence point R → nip part D → confluence point S → nip part E → platen glass 12 → Nip part F → Branch point T → Nip part G → Discharge port 8b, and the original surface is read. Even in the second stage, the front and back surfaces of the sheet document are reversed, and the surface of the sheet document discharged to the discharge tray 7c is on the bottom.
[0052]
In the present invention, the back side of the original is read and the image is recorded on one side of the recording paper. Next, the front side of the original is read and the image is recorded on the other side of the recording paper. The flow of recording paper during the recording process will be described with reference to FIG.
Here, with respect to the plain and double-sided plain recording paper, one side of the recording paper on which the image on the back side of the document is recorded is the back side, and the other side of the recording paper is the front side.
[0053]
As shown in FIG. 6A, the recording paper taken out from the paper feed tray 51 is first, at the first stage of the recording process, the merge point V → nip part H → transfer device 75 → nip part I → branch. It is conveyed from the point W → the nip L → the paper discharge port 5a, and the image data on the back side of the sheet original is recorded. After completion of the first stage, the recording paper is switched back and reversed. At this time, the front and back surfaces of the recording paper are reversed, that is, the opposite surface is opposed to the photosensitive drum 71. Then, as shown in (b) of the figure, in the second stage, the recording sheet is discharged from the discharge port 5a → nip portion L → branch point W → nip portion J → nip portion K → confluence point V → nip. Part H → Transfer device 75 → Nip part I → Branch point W → Nip part L → Discharge port 5a is recorded, and image data on the surface of the sheet original is recorded. Discharged.
[0054]
Here, the recording process will be briefly described. The image data read by the reading unit 1 is temporarily stored in the image memory 84, and the image data is read from the image memory 84 and output to the exposure unit 73. . The exposure device 73 converts the image data into laser light and exposes the surface of the rotating photosensitive drum 71.
[0055]
When the photoconductor of the photosensitive drum 71 that is positively charged by the charger 72 is irradiated with the laser beam, positive charges escape only at the irradiated portion, while the portion where the laser beam does not hit is positive. The charge remains.
Here, the black portion of the sheet document such as a character or picture corresponds to the portion where the electric charge remains, and the white portion such as the background corresponds to the portion where the electric charge has been removed.
[0056]
When the toner is sprinkled on the surface of the photosensitive drum 71 by the developing unit 74, the toner is negatively charged, so that it adheres only to the portion where the positive charge remains, and is charged positively there. When the recording sheet is conveyed, the toner is pressed by the transfer device 75, and a copy of the toner is formed on the recording sheet. Finally, the recording paper is heated while being heated by the fixing rollers 56 and 57, whereby the toner is melted and the copied picture is fixed on the recording paper, and is fed to the discharge tray 5 by the discharge rollers 62 and 63.
[0057]
Next, the overall configuration of the control configuration of the copy / facsimile multifunction peripheral will be described with reference to FIG. 7, and the details will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 8, the user first sets a sheet document on the document feed tray 9 with the front side facing up, and inserts it deep into the sheet feed port 8a while aligning with the document guide. This is detected by the DS sensor 34, whereby the document can be taken in and is put into a standby state, and the horizontal width of the sheet document is detected by the DS sensor 34 (step S1).
[0058]
Next, when the user operates the function key 18 on the key panel 13 to select the original reading surface in the double-sided reading mode (step S2), as shown in FIG. 38 is set at the upper position (step S3), that is, the first guide member 37 blocks the main document transport path R1 and opens the reverse path R2, and the second guide member 38 opens the reverse path R2.
[0059]
When the user presses the start button 19 (step S4), only the uppermost sheet document is separated by the pickup roller 21, the separation roller 22, the retard roller 23, and the like and fed from the sheet feeding port 8a. Then, it is inherited by the take-in rollers 24 and 25 and is guided to the second document transport path R2 (step S5).
[0060]
At this time, the DS sensor 34 detects the start of passage of the front end of the sheet document and the end of passage of the end of the sheet document, thereby counting the number of rotation steps of the drive source between them and calculating the document length. The size of the sheet document to be conveyed is specified by the document length and the width of the sheet document that has already been detected.
[0061]
Then, the sheet document is temporarily sent from the temporary discharge port 8c to the space on the discharge tray 7c by the extra roller 26 and the first press roller 27, and the end of the sheet document is detected by the first position detection sensor 35. When the passage is detected (step S6), the number of rotation steps (corresponding to the distance by which the end of the sheet document is conveyed from the position of the first position detection sensor 35 to the intermediate position between the branch point Q and the nip C by the counter (step S6). The first number of rotation steps) is measured. Then, after reaching the first rotation step number (step S7), most of the sheet original is discharged from the temporary discharge port 8c, and only the end portion thereof is nipped by the extra roller 26 and the first press roller 27. In this state, at this moment, the second guide member 38 is switched to the lower position (step S8), the reversing path R2 is blocked, and the extra roller 26 is rotated in the reverse direction (in the side view in FIG. 5B). Rotate clockwise (step S9), the sheet document is reversed back and guided to the document return path R3.
[0062]
Next, the sheet document is drawn by the feed roller 28 and the first slave roller 31, and as shown in FIG. 9, the leading end (end before switchback inversion) is detected by the second position detection sensor 36. (Step S10), the counter measures the number of rotation steps (second rotation step number) corresponding to the distance by which the leading edge of the sheet document is conveyed from the second position detection sensor 36 position to the rear end position of the platen glass 12. Then, after reaching the second number of rotation steps (step S11), first, reading of the back side of the sheet document is started (step S12).
[0063]
In parallel with this, the image on the back side of the document read by the CCD has black pixels such as characters and pictures and white pixels such as the background converted into electrical signals (ON / OFF signals), respectively. Are sequentially output to the image memory 84 and temporarily stored therein (step S13).
[0064]
Further, when the end of the conveyed sheet document passes the position of the second position detection sensor 36 (step S14), the end of the sheet document is moved from the position of the second position detection sensor 36 to the front end position of the platen glass 12 by a counter. The number of rotation steps corresponding to the conveyed distance (third rotation step number) and the end of the sheet document are conveyed from the position of the second position detection sensor 36 to an intermediate position between the branch point T and the nip portion G. The number of rotation steps corresponding to the distance (fourth rotation step number) is measured, and after reaching the third rotation step number (step S15), the reading of the back side of the sheet original is terminated (step S16).
[0065]
At this time, all the image data on the back side of the sheet original is read into the image memory 84. As shown in FIG. 10, the recording unit 2 is activated here, and the recording paper is taken in from the paper feed cassette 50. (Step S17).
Note that, after the size of the sheet document is specified, the optimum recording paper size is automatically determined, and the paper feed cassette 50 is selected accordingly.
[0066]
Then, the recording paper taken in by the paper feed roller 52 (or 53) is transferred to the first feed rollers 54 and 56 and is fed upward as it is, and the passage of the leading end is detected by the first passage detection sensor. If detected by the step 76 (step S18), the image data on the back side of the sheet original is read from the image memory 84 (step S19) and copied onto the recording sheet by the recording device 70 (step S20).
[0067]
When the leading end of the recording paper is pushed down the sorting member 67 and conveyed toward the paper discharge outlet 5a, and the passage at the end of the recording paper is detected by the second passage detection sensor 77 (step S21), the recording paper Most of the paper is discharged from the paper discharge port 5a, and the discharge roller 62 is rotated in the reverse direction (clockwise in the side view of FIG. 6B) with only the end portion nipped by the discharge rollers 62 and 63. Rotate (step S22). As a result, the recording sheet is reversely switched back and guided in the nip J direction by the distribution member 67 that has returned to the original position.
[0068]
From this time, the counter corresponds to the distance by which the leading edge of the recording sheet (the end before reversing the switchback) is conveyed from the second passage detection sensor 77 position to the intermediate position between the nip portion B and the branch point V by the counter. The number of rotation steps (fifth rotation step number) is measured, and after reaching the fifth rotation step number (step S23), the conveyance of the recording paper is temporarily stopped and waiting until reading of the surface of the sheet original (step S23). S24).
[0069]
On the other hand, in the reading unit 1 as well, the sheet document is conveyed further downstream while pushing up the third guide member 39, and the fourth rotation step number is detected by the counter as shown in FIG. Then, in step S25, most of the sheet document is discharged from the discharge port 8b, and the extra roller 26 is rotated in a state where only the end portion is nipped by the extra roller 26 and the second press roller 29. Stop (step S26), the second guide member 38 is switched to the upper position (step S27).
[0070]
Here, when the DS sensor 34 is turned on and the next sheet document to be taken into the sheet feeding port 8a is detected (step S28), the pickup roller 21, the separation roller 22, the retard roller 23, etc. Only the uppermost sheet document (hereinafter referred to as “next sheet document”) is separated and taken into the document transport path from the sheet feed port 8a (step S29), and the extra roller 26 is rotated in the forward direction ((( c) begins to rotate clockwise (step S30).
On the other hand, when the DS sensor 34 is turned off and there is no next sheet document at the paper feed port 8a (step S28), the pickup roller 21 and the separation roller 22 are not driven and only the extra roller 26 rotates in the forward rotation direction. (Step S30).
[0071]
With the forward rotation of the extra roller 26 in step S30, the sheet document that has been taken in first (hereinafter referred to as “the previous sheet document”) is also reversed in the reverse direction and conveyed in the reverse direction to return to the original position. After being guided to the fourth document conveyance path R4 by the three guide members 39, the conveyance is inherited by the feed roller 28 and the first slave roller 31. The second position detection sensor 36 detects the leading edge of the preceding sheet document (the end before the second switchback reversal, that is, the leading edge when set in the paper feed port 8a is again in the traveling direction). When this is done (step S31), the second press roller 29 is lowered and the extra roller 26 and the second press roller 29 are separated (step S32). At this time, step control of the drive source is started. As shown in FIG. 12, when the second number of rotation steps is reached (step S33), reading of the surface of the previous sheet document is started (step S34).
[0072]
In parallel with this, the image on the surface of the document read by the CCD is converted into an electrical signal, and sequentially output to the image memory 84, where it is temporarily stored (step S35).
[0073]
Further, when the end of the transported previous sheet document passes through the position of the second position detection sensor 36 (step S36), the counter determines that the third rotation step number and the end of the previous sheet document are in the first position. The number of rotation steps (sixth rotation step number) corresponding to the distance conveyed from the position of the two-position detection sensor 36 to the position of the paper discharge outlet 8b is measured, and after reaching the third rotation step number (step S37). ), The reading of the surface of the previous sheet document is terminated (step S38).
[0074]
At this time, the image memory 84 stores all the image data on the surface of the previous sheet document, and stops here between the nip K and the branch point V of the annular conveyance path r2 of the recording unit 2. The transport of the recording sheet that has been performed is resumed (step S39).
Then, the recording paper is fed into the first feed rollers 54 and 56, and when the passage of the leading edge is detected by the first passage detection sensor 76 (step S40), as shown in FIG. Image data on the surface of the sheet original is read from the image memory 84 (step S41), and is copied onto the surface of the recording paper by the recording device 70 (step S42).
[0075]
On the other hand, during this time, in the reading unit 1, the previous sheet document is pushed up the third guide member 39 and is discharged from the discharge port 8 b while being rubbed between the extra roller 26 and the second press roller 29 that are separated from each other ( Step S43).
Note that the surface of the sheet document discharged to the discharge tray 7c is on the bottom.
[0076]
Then, after the sixth rotation step number is measured by the counter (step S44), the second press roller 29 is raised and brought into contact with the extra roller 26 again (step S45).
[0077]
In the recording unit 2, the recording sheet is guided to the sheet discharge path r3 by depressing the sorting member 67, and is fed to the discharge rollers 62 and 63 to be discharged from the sheet discharge outlet 5a (step S46).
Note that the recording paper discharged to the discharge tray 5 has a surface on which the surface of the sheet original is copied, that is, the front surface.
[0078]
Here, when the next sheet document has been captured (step S47), the next sheet document is read and recorded in the same manner as the previous sheet document along the flow from step S6. Is called.
On the other hand, if there is no next sheet document in step S28 and it has not been captured (step S47), the flow ends here.
[0079]
The reading / recording process is performed as described above, thereby improving the processing speed of the document reading / recording apparatus. In particular, the process from when the first document is read in to when it is recorded on the recording paper Improvement of Fcot (First copy output time), which is time, is attempted.
[0080]
In the present invention, first, after reading from the back side of the sheet document, the image is once read into the image memory 84, and before reading the front side, the image is read from the image memory 84 and recorded on the back side of the recording paper. Thereafter, the front side of the sheet original is read to read the image into the image memory 84, and the image is read out from the image memory 84 and recorded on the front side of the recording paper before reading the back side of the next sheet original. Therefore, the capacity of the image memory 84 may be one page of the document, and the memory can be made cheaper than the conventional one, so that the cost can be reduced.
[0081]
Further, in this configuration, when a plurality of sheet originals are read and recorded, the sheet originals discharged to the discharge tray 7c are stacked in the page order of the originals set on the paper feed tray 9, and Then, the recording paper that has finished the recording process and is discharged to the discharge tray 5 is also stacked in the page order, so that the user can save the trouble of realigning the sheet document and the recording paper after the reading and recording process, The work efficiency can be improved.
[0082]
【The invention's effect】
  Since the present invention is configured as described above, the following effects can be obtained.
  That is, as in claim 1,A reading device for reading an original;Record the scanned imageA recording device and a control unit with a built-in image memory;In a document reading and recording apparatus comprising:A main document conveyance path formed so as to pass through the reading device from the paper supply port to the paper discharge port, and a temporary discharge immediately above the paper discharge port, branched from the main document conveyance route near the paper supply port. A reversing path that is formed without passing through the reading device toward the exit and that reverses the original, and a branch from the reversing path immediately after the temporary discharge port, and the main document conveyance on the upstream side of the reading device A document return path that communicates with the path, and a bypass path that branches from the main document conveyance path behind the discharge port and communicates with the document return path. The original is passed through the reverse path and turned upside down, and then passed through the original return path and fed to the reading device. The back side of the original is read, and the image on the back side of the original is stored in the image memory. Once read, in parallel with this An image on the back side of the document is read from the image memory and recorded on one side of the recording paper, and then the document is passed through the bypass path and the front and back sides of the document are reversed to the reading device. In addition to feeding, the front and back surfaces of the recording paper are reversed, the surface of the original is read, the image of the surface of the original is read into the image memory, and the image of the surface of the original is read in parallel with the image By reading from the memory and recording on the other side of the recording paper,The processing speed can be improved, and in particular, Fcot (First copy output time), which is the processing time from when the first original is captured and read until it is recorded on the recording paper, can be improved.
  Further, the capacity of the image memory may be equivalent to one page of the document, and the image memory can be configured with a memory that is less expensive than the conventional one, so that the cost can be reduced.
[0083]
  Further, as described in claim 2, in the document reading and recording apparatus according to claim 1,The recording paper set in the supply unit is fed to a recording device, an image of the back side of the original is recorded on one side of the recording paper, the recording paper is reversed, and fed to the recording device again. An image of the front side of the document is recorded on one side, and the other side is turned down to be ejected to the paper ejection unit. The originals are stacked in the page order, and the scanned originals are also discharged with the front side down, and the sequentially output originals are also stacked in the page order. In addition, it is possible to save the trouble of aligning the originals and improve the work efficiency.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a copier / facsimile multifunction peripheral employing a document reading / recording apparatus.
FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of the same.
FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of a reading unit.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a control configuration of the document reading and recording apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a side cross-sectional view of a reading unit showing how a sheet document is conveyed.
FIG. 6 is a side cross-sectional view of a recording unit showing how a recording sheet is conveyed.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an outline of a control configuration of the document reading and recording apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a first stage of the control configuration of the document reading and recording apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the second stage.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the third stage.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the fourth stage.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the fifth stage.
FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the final stage.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Reading unit
2 Recording section
5 Discharge tray
7c Discharge tray
8 ADF
9 Paper tray
80 Main control unit
84 Image memory
R1 Main document transport path
R2 reverse path
R3 Document return path
R4 bypass route
r1 paper take-in route
r2 annular transport path
r3 paper discharge path

Claims (2)

In an original reading and recording apparatus comprising: a reading apparatus that reads an original; a recording apparatus that records the read image; and a control unit that includes an image memory ;
A main document conveyance path formed so as to pass through the reading device from the paper supply port to the paper discharge port, and a temporary discharge immediately above the paper discharge port, branched from the main document conveyance route near the paper supply port. A reversing path that is formed without passing through the reading device toward the exit and that reverses the original, and a branch from the reversing path immediately after the temporary discharge port, and the main document conveyance on the upstream side of the reading device A document return path that communicates with the path, and a bypass path that branches from the main document conveyance path behind the discharge port and communicates with the document return path,
The document set on the paper feed unit with the front side up is passed through the reversing path and turned upside down, then fed through the document return path and fed to the reading device, and the back side of the document is read, The image on the back side of the document is once read into the image memory, and in parallel with this, the image on the back side of the document is read from the image memory and recorded on one side of the recording paper,
Next, the original is passed through the bypass path, the front and back surfaces of the original are reversed and fed to the reading device, the front and back surfaces of the recording paper are reversed, and the front surface of the original is read. A document reading and recording apparatus, wherein the image on the surface of the document is read into the image memory, and the image on the surface of the document is read out from the image memory and recorded on the other surface of the recording paper in parallel with the image. . The recording paper set in the supply unit is fed to a recording device, an image of the back side of the original is recorded on one side of the recording paper, the recording paper is reversed, and fed to the recording device again. 2. An original reading and recording apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an image of the surface of the original is recorded on one side, and the other side is faced down and discharged to a paper discharge unit.

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